Therapeutic or prophylactic agent for corneal epithelium disorders and/or conjunctival epithelium disorders

Abstract

The present invention provides an effective and safe prophylactic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agent and supplement for corneal epithelium disorders and/or conjunctival epithelial disorders. This is a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for corneal epithelium disorders and/or conjunctival epithelial disorders comprising eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid, a glycerin ester or phospholipid comprising these fatty acids as constituent fatty acids, or a lower alcohol ester of these fatty acids as active ingredients. These preferably comprise EPA and/or DHA in the form of a refined fish oil or refined krill oil. A total of at least approximately 50 to 5,000 mg of EPA and/or DHA or the esters thereof are taken daily, thereby easing corneal epithelium disorders and/or conjunctival epithelial disorders. In addition, the amount of tears may be recovered.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for reducing a dry eye symptom of a dry eye patient, comprising orally administering to a dry eye patient having a dry eye syndrome a composition in an amount effective to reduce the dry eye symptom,
 wherein the composition comprises: eicosapentaenoic acid in an amount of 28% or more; docosahexaenoic acid in amount of 12% or more; and n-6 type fatty acid in an amount in a range from 0 to 5%.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claims 14 , wherein the dry eye syndrome is decreased tear quantity, and the administration of the composition increases the tear quantity. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claims 14 , wherein the composition is administered to the dry eye patient for at least four weeks continuously. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claims 14 , wherein the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid are present in the composition in a form of eicosapentaenoic acid itself, docosahexaenoic acid itself, esters of each of the eicosapentaenoic acid itself and the docosahexaenoic acid itself, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claims 14 , wherein the composition is in a form of refined fish oil or refined krill oil. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claims 14 ,
 wherein the composition contains the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid so as to administer the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid in a range from approximately 50 to approximately 5,000 mg as a total amount of eicosapentaenoic acid itself, docosahexaenoic acid itself, and esters thereof, daily.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claims 14 ,
 wherein the composition contains the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid so as to administer the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid in a range from approximately 300 to approximately 3,000 mg as a total amount of eicosapentaenoic acid itself, docosahexaenoic acid itself, and esters thereof, daily.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claims 14 ,
 wherein the composition contains the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid so as to administer the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid in a range from approximately 900 to approximately 2,100 mg as a total amount of eicosapentaenoic acid itself, docosahexaenoic acid itself, and esters thereof, daily.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claims 14 ,
 wherein the composition further comprises tocopherol as an antioxidant.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claims 17 ,
 wherein the esters of each of the eicosapentaenoic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid are glycerin esters thereof, phospholipid esters thereof, or lower alcohol esters thereof.